Spill-resistant gravity dispensing snack containers

ABSTRACT

A snack container includes a housing having a storage chamber and a retrieval chamber, the retrieval chamber connected to a retrieval chamber opening positioned lower than portions of the storage chamber, and a protrusion connected to the housing and partially separating the storage chamber and the retrieval chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.62/714,740 filed on Aug. 5, 2018 incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snack containers for toddlers are often adapted with spill-resistantfeatures, as toddlers have low dexterity, minimal hand-eye coordination,and generally have a limited ability to reliably control the containerwithout spilling its contents. References such as U.S. Pat. No.4,884,717 to Bussard et al. discloses container openings at leastpartially covered by resilient flexible members that can flex in or out,and attempt to block the snacks from falling out of the container. Thesetypes of commercially available containers allow toddlers to reach intothe container and grab snacks since the flexible resilient members bendinward as the hand is inserted.

These types of conventional containers have many drawbacks. It'sdifficult for the flexible resilient members to flex downward when thecontainer is filled to the top with snacks, since the snacks blockinward movement of the flexible resilient members. This also makes handinsertion difficult and frustrates the toddler. Further, when thecontainer is near empty, toddlers have a tendency to reach their entirehand into the container to grab snacks at the bottom, and the flexiblemembers often trap the toddler's hand at the wrist, which isuncomfortable. Additionally, when the hand gets stuck, the toddler oftenflips the container upside down (and the flexible resilient members areopen since the hand is inserted) which had a tendency to spill remainingsnacks and crumbs from the container. This defeats the “spill-resistant”purpose of the flexible members. Also, many of these containers aremanufactured tall to allow more room and prevent the snacks fromblocking the flexible resilient members, allowing clearance for internaldownward flexion. However this higher center of gravity can make thecontainer more unstable harder for the toddler to control.

Another type of spill-resistant container is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,591,388 to Amormino, which discloses a spill-resistant containerhaving an open upper end that is maintained closed by a cover offlexible elastic fabric. The cover is made from two overlapping piecesof elasticized fabric which may be pushed aside by a person's fingersreaching inside the container to access food items therein. Once theperson's hand is withdrawn from the opening, the two pieces of fabricsnap shut, returning to their original overlapping positions and therebyclosing the open end of the receptacle. The cover is detachablyconnected to the receptacle to permit cleaning and refilling of thereceptacle.

This type of container has advantages, however commercially availablespill-resistant containers that are rigid (most often made from afood-grade plastic) can be difficult for young children such as toddlersto keep a good grip on. They often slip out of hands, and can becomevery slippery when wet. These containers are often manufactured withadditional components such as winged grips for the child to grab on to,but this increases the manufacturing costs, adds to the side of thecontainer, and is an additional part that needs to be cleaned. Also, theoverlapping fabric pieces can be hard to clean, and may requiredisassembly to clean, adding complexity to manufacturing, cleaning, andadding cost and more parts to keep track of.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved snack container thatprovides the spill-resistant features that parents appreciate, whileimproving the ease of use for toddlers. There is also a need for softand/or flexible snack containers that include the spill resistantfeatures and do not require the addition of special gripping components.These improved containers should eliminate the drawbacks of conventionalspill-resistant containers that rely on flexible resilient members. Theembodiments described herein meet that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a snack container includes a housing having a storagechamber and a retrieval chamber, the retrieval chamber connected to aretrieval chamber opening positioned lower than portions of the storagechamber; and a protrusion connected to the housing and partiallyseparating the storage chamber and the retrieval chamber. In oneembodiment, the housing includes a flexible fabric. In one embodiment,the snack container includes a storage chamber opening connected to thestorage chamber. In one embodiment, the retrieval chamber opening ispositioned lower than the storage chamber opening. In one embodiment,the storage chamber opening comprises a closure configured to close thestorage chamber opening. In one embodiment, the protrusion separates thestorage chamber opening and the retrieval chamber opening. In oneembodiment, the protrusion extends down from a top edge of the housing.In one embodiment, the housing is generally wedged shaped.

In one embodiment, a snack container system includes a housing forming asnack storage chamber at least partially surrounding a funnel; and afirst opening formed at a bottom portion of the funnel and connected tothe snack storage chamber. In one embodiment, the snack storage chambersurrounds a majority of the funnel. In one embodiment, the snack storagechamber fully surrounds the funnel. In one embodiment, the snackcontainer system includes a base cap configured to attach to the housingto close a second opening formed at a bottom portion of the snackstorage chamber. In one embodiment, the first opening comprises aplurality of flexible resilient members at least partially blocking theopening. In one embodiment, the snack container system includes a snackcap configured to attach to the first opening to close the firstopening.

In one embodiment, a snack container includes a housing forming a snackstorage chamber having top portion, a bottom portion and a funnelportion therebetween; and a first opening formed at a bottom portion ofthe chamber; where an external surface of the housing at the funnelportion is configured to be handheld. In one embodiment, a diameter ofthe housing at the funnel portion is 0.5-2 inches. In one embodiment, adiameter of the housing at the funnel portion is 0.5-1.5 inches. In oneembodiment, a diameter of the housing at the funnel portion is 0.75-1.25inches. In one embodiment, the external surface includes at a gripsurface comprising at least one of a different housing surface materialor a plurality of protrusions. In one embodiment, a top portion of thehousing comprises a fill cap.

In one embodiment, a snack container system includes a containercomprising a housing forming a snack storage chamber and a firstattachment portion disposed at an opening of the housing; and a capcomprising a second attachment portion disposed around a first capopening and configured to mate with the first attachment portion, and acap chamber connected to a second cap opening, wherein the first andsecond cap openings are disposed on the same side of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing purposes and features, as well as other purposes andfeatures, will become apparent with reference to the description andaccompanying figures below, which are included to provide anunderstanding of the invention and constitute a part of thespecification, in which like numerals represent like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a snack container shown filled withsnacks according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the snack container of FIG. 1Ashown empty according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a snack container system accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the snack container system of FIG.2A with the snack cap on and shown filled with snacks according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the snack container system of FIG.2A with the snack cap removed and shown filled with snacks according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the snack container system of FIG.2A with the feed cap removed and shown partially filled with snacksaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 2E is a top view of the snack container system of FIG. 2A with thefeed cap removed according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2F is a top view of the snack container system of FIG. 2A with thefeed cap removed and resilient flexible members partially covering thetop opening according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2G is a cross-sectional exploded view of the snack container systemof FIG. 2A according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3E show steps for filling and preparing the stack container ofsystem of FIG. 2A for use according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a side view of a snack container system according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional diagram of the snack container of FIG.4A according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C shows a cross-sectional diagram of the snack container of FIG.4A shown filled with snacks according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4D shows a front-view diagram of the snack container of FIG. 4Ashown filled with snacks according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a snack container system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows the snack container system of FIG. 5A is dispense modeaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 5C shows the snack container system of FIG. 5C in storage modeaccording to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a more clear comprehension of the present invention, whileeliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found insnack container systems. Those of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or requiredin implementing the present invention. However, because such elementsand steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitatea better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of suchelements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein isdirected to all such variations and modifications to such elements andmethods known to those skilled in the art.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methodsand materials are described.

As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associatedwith it in this section.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to morethan one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of thearticle. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more thanone element.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as anamount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompassvariations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, and ±0.1% from the specified value,as such variations are appropriate.

Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention canbe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Where appropriate, the description of a range should beconsidered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges aswell as individual numerical values within that range. For example,description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to havespecifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well asindividual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5,5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like referencenumerals indicate like parts or elements throughout the several views,in various embodiments, presented herein is a spill-resistant gravitydispensing snack containers according to several embodiments.

Embodiments described herein use gravity dispensing to advantageouslyconcentrate a small amount of snack food at an opening, so that thesnack are easily accessible. Advantageously, only a small amount of thesnacks in the container are vulnerable to spilling at any given time,and the vast majority of the contents remain spill-proof. The containersalso do not require flexible resilient elements, although they can beincluded. Advantageously, hands will not get stuck, containers can befilled to the top without any issue, and snacks are consistently fed toan easily accessible shallow opening, easily retrievable by toddlers.Certain embodiments enable a low center of gravity container geometry,making the container very stable. Certain embodiments enable tallercontainers that have a central grip instead of an periphery grip, makingthem easy to control. Certain embodiments utilize a cap component thatis adaptable to enable gravity dispensing with conventional bottles.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a spill-resistant reusable snackbag 10 is shown according to one embodiment. The bag housing 12 isconstructed preferably from soft and flexible materials such as foodsafe fabric (such as PUL fabric), and has a generally wedged shape. Thehousing chamber 20 has a storage chamber 22 and a retrieval chamber 24.The storage chamber 22 is generally where food is stored, and itsaccessed via the storage chamber opening 30. The retrieval chamber 32 iswhere food is retrieved from, and its accessed via the retrieval chamberopening 32. The storage chamber 22 and the retrieval chamber 24 areconnected below a chamber protrusion 40. The chamber protrusion 40impedes the flow of snacks from the storage chamber 22 to the retrievalchamber 24. The impedance of flow of snacks helps to keep their flow tothe retrieval chamber 24 controlled so that only a small amount ofsnacks are gravity dispensed into the retrieval chamber 24 at any giventime. As shown more specifically in FIG. 1B, gravity generally moves andpushes the snacks from the storage chamber 22 to the retrieval chamber24 as snacks are removed from the retrieval chamber 24 since voids inthe retrieval chamber 24 allow more snacks to more into it from thestorage chamber 22. The storage chamber opening 30 can include a closuresuch as a flap 50 having a first 52 and second 54 connection elementconfigured to mate with each other, such as hook and loop materials,zippers, or other types of closures known in the art. The retrievalchamber opening 32 can include a similar type of closure.

Advantageously, toddlers can grab food from the retrieval chamber, whichhas a consistent and easy to access shallow depth. If the containerdrops or is tipped, only a small amount of snacks are vulnerable tobeing spilled. The low profile of the container makes it more stablethan conventional toddler snack containers. The soft, flexible fabricconstruction is easy to grab, and when filled with snacks is similar togripping a beanbag, which makes it easy for toddlers to maintain controlof. The soft and compliant nature of the bag can also make it lesssusceptible to fully tip upside down. Since the housing can be made offood-safe fabric, the container can store flat or folded, taking up lessspace than conventional plastic containers.

With reference now to FIGS. 2A-2G, a spill-resistant snack containersystem 100 is shown according to one embodiment. The handheld containersystem 100 includes a generally circular or ring-shaped housing 102 thathas a central funnel 104 leading to a snack opening 110. The snackopening 110 can include an attachment mechanism, such as a threadedperimeter 112 that mates with threads 152 of a snack cap 150. Theperimeter of the funnel 104 includes a food storage chamber 120 thatincludes a top portion 122 and a bottom portion 124 partially separatedby a protrusion 123. The walls funnel 104 double as a storage chamber120 for snacks. As food is removed from the bottom portion 124 of thestorage chamber 120 through the snack opening 110, gravity will pulldown food from the top portion 122, automatically replenishing fooddirectly below the snack opening 110. The space between the snackopening 110 can be configured to a depth convenient for retrieval ofsnacks for toddlers and kids. The bottom of the housing 102 has a fillopening 130 that is closed by a base cap 140. The base cap 140 caninclude an attachment mechanism such as threads 142 that mate withthreads 108 on the bottom of the housing 102. Handles 106 can beattached to or formed with the exterior of the housing 102. Instead ofhandles 106 or in addition to them, the housing 102 itself can be formedwith an ergonomic handheld geometry, including for example impressionsor opening for thumbs and other fingers. In one embodiment, the housingis constructed from a clear material, such as a food grade plastic.

This embodiment 100 is similar to the previous embodiment 10 in thatboth embodiments take advantage of spill-resistant gravity dispensingfeature by having a housing having a storage chamber and a retrievalchamber, the retrieval chamber connected to a retrieval chamber openingpositioned lower than portions of the storage chamber, and a protrusionconnected to the housing and partially separating the storage chamberand the retrieval chamber. Advantageously, with respect to the currentembodiment 100, toddlers can grab food from a consistent and easy toaccess shallow container depth. Further, the funnel geometry canrecollect any snacks that are dropped above it during retrieval. Parentscan fill the container so that treats are at the top portion of thestorage chamber and the rest is healthy snacks, so that kids see thetreats but are forced to first eat the healthy snacks to access thetreats. Different snacks can be added to the clear container to create alayered visual effect. If the container drops or is tipped, only a smallamount of snacks are vulnerable to being spilled. Alternately, flexibleresilient members can be used via an optional cap, or built into thesnack opening. The low profile of the container makes it more stablethan conventional toddler snack containers.

In one embodiment, the snack opening 110 can include flexible resilientmembers 160 at least partially blocking the snack opening 110 (e.g. FIG.2F). An alternate cap can optionally include the flexible resilientmembers as an additional accessory, making the option of the flexibleresilient members available depending on use preference. In oneembodiment, the snack opening is positioned within a bottom half of thecontainer height. In one embodiment, the snack opening is positionedwithin a bottom third of the container height. In one embodiment, thesnack opening is positioned within a bottom quarter of the containerheight. In one embodiment, the snack opening is positioned within abottom fifth of the container height. In one embodiment, the snackopening is positioned within a bottom sixth of the container height.

In one embodiment, the snack container system includes a housing forminga snack storage chamber at least partially surrounding a funnel, and afirst opening formed at a bottom portion of the funnel and connected tothe snack storage chamber. In one embodiment, the snack storage chambersurrounds a majority of the funnel. In one embodiment, the snack storagechamber fully surrounds the funnel. In one embodiment, the snackcontainer system includes a base cap configured to attach to the housingto close a second opening formed at a bottom portion of the snackstorage chamber. In one embodiment, the first opening comprises aplurality of flexible resilient members at least partially blocking theopening. In one embodiment, the snack container system includes a snackcap configured to attach to the first opening to close the firstopening.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3E, filling the container is a simpleprocess. The container is first turned upside down with the snack cap onand the base cap off (FIG. 3A). A snack of choice is then added (FIG.3B). Advantageously, the housing can be a clear material, and differentsnacks can be added to display a layered effect. Special treats can beadded first, followed by a healthy snack, so that the child is rewardedwith the treat once they get through eating the healthy snack. Oncefull, the base cap can be added (FIG. 3C). When ready to eat, simplyturn the container upright (FIG. 3D) and remove the snack cap (FIG. 3E).

With reference now to FIGS. 4A-4D, a spill-resistant snack containersystem is shown according to one embodiment. The handheld containersystem 200 includes a housing 210 forming a chamber 220 that has a topportion 202, a bottom portion 206 and a funnel portion 204 therebetween.The bottom portion 206 includes a snack opening 220 for retrieving food.The top portion 202 and top of the housing 210 includes a cap 230 forfilling the container with snacks. The funnel portion 204 advantageouslyincludes a grip 235 on the outside surface of the housing 210 whichprovides a balanced point for children to grip the container. Thecontainer 200 can include a separation point 240 to make it easy towash, and can be a connection mechanism know in the art such as athreaded mating arrangement. These taller containers that have a centralgrip instead of an periphery grip, making them balanced ad easy tocontrol. Advantageously, the container is largely spill proof since onlya small amount of snacks are exposed to the opening. Those havingordinary skill in the art will recognize that other features describedin other embodiments, such are flexible resilient members can be used atthe opening, or an optional cap with flexible resilient members can bean optional attachment.

In one embodiment, a snack container includes a housing forming a snackstorage chamber having top portion, a bottom portion and a funnelportion therebetween, and a first opening formed at a bottom portion ofthe chamber, where an external surface of the housing at the funnelportion is configured to be handheld. In one embodiment, a diameter ofthe housing at the funnel portion is 0.5-2 inches. In one embodiment, adiameter of the housing at the funnel portion is 0.5-1.5 inches. In oneembodiment, a diameter of the housing at the funnel portion is 0.75-1.25inches. In one embodiment, the external surface includes at a gripsurface comprising at least one of a different housing surface materialor a plurality of protrusions. In one embodiment, a top portion of thehousing comprises a fill cap.

With reference now to FIGS. 5A-5C, a spill-resistant snack containersystem 300 is shown according to one embodiment. The system 300 includesa container 302 having a housing 304 forming a chamber 306 and a topthreaded portion 308 surrounding a top opening 309. A cap 330 includestwo sets of threads that mate with the top threaded portion 308 of thecontainer 302. Threads 332 on the dispense side of the cap 330 allowsnacks to flow along an interior wall 336 into a cap chamber 340 forretrieval through a cap snack opening 360. Threads 336 on the storageside of the cap 330 run up to the interior wall 330 and allow thecontainer's chamber 306 to seal off. Accordingly, the cap allows for adispense mode and a storage mode, depending on which set of threads 332,336 engage the container threads 308. An interior protrusion 350 can beused to control the gravity dispensing flow of snacks, and can beadjustable to customize dispensing rates via protruding at variabledepths. As will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art,adjustable interior protrusions can be adapted to the variousembodiments described herein. Those having ordinary skill in the artwill also recognize that other features described in other embodiment,such are flexible resilient members can be used at the opening, or anoptional cap for the opening with flexible resilient members can be anoptional attachment. Advantageously, this simple container and capsystem can both seal snacks to keep them fresh and contained, andprovide gravity dispense spill-resistant access. In one embodiment, thecap 330 only needs threads 332 on the dispense side. The threads 332 canextend to the interior wall 336 so that storage mode is the container302 screwed all the way down flush with the wall 336, dispense mode isadjustable by partially unscrewing the container 302, presenting anadjustable gap for gravity dispense, and fill mode is fully removing thecontainer 302. Caps can be adaptable to fit commercially availablecontainers, so that parents can utilize snack containers they alreadyown to adapt them to have the gravity dispense feature.

In one embodiment, a snack container system includes a containercomprising a housing forming a snack storage chamber and a firstattachment portion disposed at an opening of the housing, and a capcomprising a second attachment portion disposed around a first capopening and configured to mate with the first attachment portion, and acap chamber connected to a second cap opening, wherein the first andsecond cap openings are disposed on the same side of the cap.

The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, andpublication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with referenceto specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments andvariations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the artwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A snack container comprising: a housing having astorage chamber and a retrieval chamber, the retrieval chamber connectedto a retrieval chamber opening positioned lower than portions of thestorage chamber; and a protrusion connected to the housing and partiallyseparating the storage chamber and the retrieval chamber.
 2. The snackcontainer of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a flexible fabric.3. The snack container of claim 1 further comprising: a storage chamberopening connected to the storage chamber.
 4. The snack container ofclaim 3, wherein the retrieval chamber opening is positioned lower thanthe storage chamber opening.
 5. The snack container of claim 3, whereinthe storage chamber opening comprises a closure configured to close thestorage chamber opening.
 6. The snack container of claim 3, wherein theprotrusion separates the storage chamber opening and the retrievalchamber opening.
 7. the snack container of claim 3, wherein theprotrusion extends down from a top edge of the housing.
 8. The snackcontainer of claim 1, wherein the housing is generally wedged shaped. 9.A snack container system comprising: a housing forming a snack storagechamber at least partially surrounding a funnel; and a first openingformed at a bottom portion of the funnel and connected to the snackstorage chamber.
 10. The snack container system of claim 9, wherein thesnack storage chamber surrounds a majority of the funnel.
 11. The snackcontainer system of claim 9, wherein the snack storage chamber fullysurrounds the funnel.
 12. The snack container system of claim 9 furthercomprising: a base cap configured to attach to the housing to close asecond opening formed at a bottom portion of the snack storage chamber.13. The snack container system of claim 9, wherein the first openingcomprises a plurality of flexible resilient members at least partiallyblocking the opening.
 14. The snack container system of claim 9 furthercomprising: a snack cap configured to attach to the first opening toclose the first opening.
 15. A snack container comprising: a housingforming a snack storage chamber having top portion, a bottom portion anda funnel portion therebetween; and a first opening formed at a bottomportion of the chamber; wherein an external surface of the housing atthe funnel portion is configured to be handheld.
 16. The snack containerof claim 15, wherein a diameter of the housing at the funnel portion is0.5-2 inches.
 17. The snack container of claim 15, wherein a diameter ofthe housing at the funnel portion is 0.75-1.25 inches.
 18. The snackcontainer of claim 15, wherein the external surface includes at a gripsurface comprising at least one of a different housing surface materialor a plurality of protrusions.
 19. The snack container of claim 15,wherein a top portion of the housing comprises a fill cap.
 20. A snackcontainer system comprising: a container comprising a housing forming asnack storage chamber and a first attachment portion disposed at anopening of the housing; and a cap comprising a second attachment portiondisposed around a first cap opening and configured to mate with thefirst attachment portion, and a cap chamber connected to a second capopening, wherein the first and second cap openings are disposed on thesame side of the cap.